Kathie Meller: Libraries are the hub of the community

Published 12:35 am, Saturday, May 16, 2015

Please tell me these proposed budget cuts to Connecticut state public libraries is just a nightmare and I'll soon wake up.

Please tell me that state residents will still be able to borrow necessary books and other library materials from other Connecticut libraries through Connecticard.

Cutting funding for Connecticard and other library services will severely impact the quality of life of our communities. One example: A lot of our library patrons are not able to drive to other libraries to check out needed books and information. Not every community member has access to a Kindle which, let's face it, is not the most appealing way to read; it's hard to hold and extremely hard on the eyes.

During Hurricane Sandy, one couldn't even get a seat at any of the crowded hurricane-affected public libraries, they were so packed with library patrons seeking community information and power for their laptops.

At that time I overheard one librarian say to another: "Somebody should call the newspapers and take a photo. Let the state powers that be see the library today and how necessary it is to have a centralized place in the community for information and comfort." Without community -- which is basically communication between townspeople -- chaos reigns.

Everyone always agrees we want the kids to read more and to shut the TV off. Not watch more of these low-quality television shows that produce enough media-obsessed children who grow up too fast to even enjoy just being a kid.

Anyone who thinks Kim Kardashian is a good role model for their 10-year-old latch key kid (who are legion throughout our state), needs to brush up on their Bard!

When I was at the library recently, I saw a little girl hugging a book, "Abel's Island," by William Steig that had been one of the many books that inspired my life-long love of reading. I overheard her telling the librarian just how much she loved Abel and didn't want to return the book.

When her mom said they could download it onto her iPad, she said, "But, Mommy, it's not the same; then I can't hear the love when Daddy turns the page!" When the librarian explained that she could renew the book for another three weeks and take it out to reread whenever she liked, the little girl's eyes were shining like it was Christmas morning.

Now, how are we going to put a price on that?! And hell yes, I'm a "friend" of the library. Why? Because not only is it imperative that we give back to our communities, but more importantly that I remember in a sometimes lonely childhood how the public library felt like it was my only friend. The books within, the consistent community spirit saved me. Let it save our children.

So please tell me that Farenheit 451 is NOT happening in real-life with these proposed library budget cuts. All I can say is, thank the good Lord Ray Bradbury was not watching "Dancing with the Stars" instead of writing books.